Tech Tips and Tricks & Advice – written in plain English.

I am a Retired computer & network technician. I used to think the machines were pretty cool. Now I don’t.
They’re anything but.

I regularly posted how-to’s and tricks & tips and general computing advice here starting in 2007. (Use the Search tool to find answers. But be aware, many are rather dated.) Sometimes I answered (your) specific questions in an article if I believed the answer was generally helpful to “everyone”. All the writing you see was my own, typos and all. There always is/was an implied “IMHO” in what you see here.

Note: You are responsible for using this blog and its content. I am in no way liable for any losses caused by user error, viruses and/or other malware, hardware or software failure, or any other conceivable reason.

I’d just like to say thank you, for your site is great at helping me with my internet issues! It’s great that you post free services right up on the web for basic computer problems. Just today I was experiencing an “Internet Problem”, as you professional computer technicians call then. All I did was read your page about how to fix it with just a few clicks of the mouse, and I was golden! So thanks so much for posting those helpful little tid-bits online to help the technologically impaired people of the world!

I just discovered your site today and spent over an hour looking around. This is a very impressive site. Take a look at my Tech Pages at scoroncocolo.com when you find the time. My latest post is on SEO. I’ve got you bookmarked and I’ll be back. Thanks for all the great, free information.

Thank you so much for this site. My problem with it is that I can spend way too much time here!

Real Problem: I am trying to copy some photos to a cd and I keep getting the “insert disc” message even though a disc is already in place. I’ve tried both “E” & “F”, and tried a brand new disc. I tried a music (played, not copied) cd and it worked okay. I’ve copied music before but not photos. I recently installed & ran Errorfix. I see lots of other folks have had this problem but I’m not seeing any real solutions.
Shelley

Shelley,
The “Please insert a disc” message [typically] means that the media is not being recognized by the player.

This can be because of a “bad” blank disc, or because of the make/type.. as these devices (generally, older ones) can be rather particular.

I have had whole batches (packs) of discs be “bad”, and I have had just one or two “bad” ones out of a pack.. so you did the right thing by trying a different disc.. you should try a few more out of that ‘pack’, and then try a whole new manufacturer‘s pack.
Also, if you using DC + R’s, try using CD – R’s.

i justr got this laptop and kind of tampered with the drive c in its security properties, so eventually it denied me access to it. when i run as an admin to turn off UAC ownership it says cant open access control editor. please help me out.

NICE,
My ethics (and the Law) requires me to reply to these kinds of questions thusly: take the laptop to a tech, with evidence that it really is yours, and for a modest fee they should get you going again.

a next store neibour of mines computer has this problem turned off his computer saturday night all was ok next day sunday may2 2010 when the monitor is turned on it lights and shows the BenQsign then goes to standby the computer is a Gateway 504GR TURNS ON AND sounds like its working but won,t boot and connect to the monitor windows xp tried kaspersky rescue disk new version just released this april 26, 2010 but can not boot too this disc to see if any thing can be fixed!! please email me back with a reply to help my neibour please!! a computer user from canada!! thank you

First time i visited your site. I just want to thank you for taking the time to help us that are not so “into” the technical parts of these amazing machines. I have been using computers since the Commodore (sp) 64 and the TRS 80. I know I am dating myself ha. I use them but still have allot to lean about the tech details you have been very helpful and I may request your services in the future. May I get a reference from you? A former customer who you may have remotely helped solve a problem? Ray

a next store neibour of mines computer has this problem turned off his computer saturday night all was ok next day sunday may2 2010 when the monitor is turned on it lights and shows the BenQsign then goes to standby the computer is a Gateway 504GR TURNS ON AND sounds like its working but won,t boot and connect to the monitor windows xp tried kaspersky rescue disk new version just released this april 26, 2010 but can not boot too this disc to see if any thing can be fixed!! please email me back with a reply to help my neibour please!! a computer user from canada!! thank you
+1

a next store neibour of mines computer has this problem turned off his computer saturday night all was ok next day sunday may2 2010 when the monitor is turned on it lights and shows the BenQsign then goes to standby the computer is a Gateway 504GR TURNS ON AND sounds like its working but won,t boot and connect to the monitor windows xp tried kaspersky rescue disk new version just released this april 26, 2010 but can not boot too this disc to see if any thing can be fixed!! please email me back with a reply to help my neibour please!! a computer user from canada!! thank you+1
+1

I think this is among the most important information for me. And i’m glad reading your article. But wanna remark on few general things, The web site style is wonderful, the articles is really nice : D. Good job, cheers

Admiring the time and effort you put into your website and detailed information you present. It’s awesome to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same outdated rehashed information. Great read! I’ve bookmarked your site and I’m adding your RSS feeds to my Google account.

This is an excellent site for solving problems by remote control.I am a 85 yrs old foggy from India and I don’t have any experience in payment on line and so a little scared to write to you about my problem.However if you can solve it I will appreciate very much
My son presented me with this used laptop Fujitsu S6231and I am trying to connect it to my 8 year old Sony Vega TV using VGA/3RCA cable,after connecting and putting the TV in cam mode and the laptop in 800/600 and pressing Fn/F10 keys and all that all that happens is I hear a hissing sound from the TV and I can’t get any video display.I was hoping to see some movies on the TV which were download from the net which are on my hard disc.Sorry if I am using this mode to contact you as I have not fully read your site and so don’t know how to ask you any tech questions.

Sriker Hemmady,
The answer to your puzzle may be as simple as leaving it in ‘normal’ mode and putting it on channel 3 (or 4), or perhaps you need to set the “source” to “PC”, or perhaps a dozen or two other things… But the TV should act as a second monitor.
Since I only support folks in N. America, I can only suggest trying – trial and error style – your display (on the PC) settings, and various ‘modes’ on the TV until you strike upon the correct combination..
Or have someone technically inclined in to take a look..

i have a computer in my basement with Windows XP on it. My coputer started freezing once I tried to open it up. I am not able to get online because it freezes a couple of minuites after the start up.
I am willing to pay for the remote help to solve this problem, as I am a newbie.

So glad I found you Paul! I made the big mistake of trying (for over an hour) to reach Microsoft “customer service” to respond to an issue I had with Windows 7. They never answered. If it weren’t for your patience, skills and expertise, I’d still be lost as to what to do. You solved the issue…within minutes! Thank you!

Paul I’m playing on my Android phone and when I ask someone to be my friend by hitting their friend key they disappear and crazy writing comes up. And now it’s also getting hard to chat. Can u please resolve this issue for me before I have to quit playing [deleted] poker?

Calhoun Reeves,
I’m sorry but I don’t repair toys (which is what I consider smartphones and tablets to be). All I can suggest is:
* install an antivirus,
* do a “hard reset”,
* post your question on an Android forum.

• About Tech Paul

I am a Retired computer & network technician. I used to think the machines were pretty cool. Now I don’t.
They’re anything but.

I regularly posted how-to’s and tricks & tips and general computing advice here starting in 2007. (Use the Search tool to find answers. But be aware, many are rather dated.) Sometimes I answered (your) specific questions in an article if I believed the answer was generally helpful to “everyone”. All the writing you see was my own, typos and all. There always is/was an implied “IMHO” in what you see here.

Note: You are responsible for using this blog and its content. I am in no way liable for any losses caused by user error, viruses and/or other malware, hardware or software failure, or any other conceivable reason.

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